My husband is a police detective, and in the last three months, he has been involved in investigating three brutal murders. The things he sees and deals with all day long are gruesome and cruel and I have noticed some changes in him lately. What are some of the symptoms that I should watch out for if I believe he may be suffering from PTSD? 

I guess I am looking for a reality check. I moved from an Irish Catholic neighborhood where everyone would drink and drink heavily to a Mormon community where no one drinks. I fall somewhere in the middle, occasionally having a drink at home or out with my wife. I am wanting to know what is the definition of healthy responsible drinking? I know what alcoholics look like, they were my old neighbors, but what does normal drinking look like? 

My spouse is addicted to prescription medication. His personality has changing. I don't know what to do or say to him. I am afraid he is going to lose his job. Is there something I can do to help him? 

What are the differences between how the chemical/physiological mechanisms associated with addictive behaviors work in the brain and the mechanisms for healthy rewarding behaviors?  

My wife just found out that I have been viewing pornography for the past six years of our marriage. She is furious. I feel bad, but I don't understand why she is so upset. She hasn't been sexually open to new things and I have felt that she didn't care if I took care of things myself. I don't know how to respond to her. I actually enjoy viewing pornography, but I don't want to ruin my relationship with my wife. She told me that my viewing pornography is like cheating on her. I don't get that at all. How could viewing pornography be like cheating? Is there something that I can do to help her calm down? The other question I have is about stopping pornography. I only view once or twice a week when she isn't around. I am not sure I want to stop, but I don't want a divorce either. Please advise. 

I have been struggling with an addiction to pornography for 25 years. I have been to groups therapy, individual counseling, and read self-help books. I make progress for a few months at a time and then relapse. Every time I give in I feel so sad. I want to quit, but nothing has worked for me yet. Do you have some specific suggestions that I could try that would help me. I think my biggest challenge is when the craving comes on. If I could make it through the powerful cravings I might be able to succeed. I will never give up, but I sometimes feel completely helpless. 

Will my husband ever quit relapsing with his pornography addiction? It's getting better, but it still keeps happening. He says that he's trying, but I'm losing hope.  

Dr. Skinner, I met you at a seminar about a year ago. You have made an impression on me that you are the one I need to ask for advice. I get an urge that is almost unquenchable. I have the impulse, almost uncontrollable, to collect things. They are specific things-not just random objects. I collect Star Wars action figures, just the Storm Troopers, and certain firearms. Firearms help the urge because they are a lot more expensive than the other. The cost of firearms keeps the urge under control. And I have almost all of the Action figures. I have not gone into debt for any of these things, but the urge to want more keeps creeping up on me. Am I Addict?